How fast can you download an HD movie? In some parts of Livonia, that time could significantly decrease for some internet customers.

AT&T recently announced it is launching gigabit-speed internet in parts of Livonia. Gigabit speed, which is 1000 megabits, can download a 90-minute HD movie in less than 34 seconds, according to AT&T officials.

The company, which already provides internet and cable service across Livonia, said its gigabit speeds will be available in parts of Livonia, though officials declined to share specific locations where it can be accessed.

"It's a portion of the city," said AT&T spokeswoman Teresa Mask.

Livonia is the most recent city in Metro Detroit to have AT&T provide higher-speed internet service. Communities such as Canton, Novi and Lyon Township received access to the service last fall. The company currently offers gigabit internet speeds in 57 markets across the United States, and hopes to expand it to 75 by 2019.

"Our customers are increasingly interacting with their world in more data-intensive ways,” said Jim Murray, president of AT&T Michigan, in a statement. “A growing number of people are streaming content directly from their devices, and interacting with family and friends through live videos. For these reasons, we’re continuing to expand the availability of our fastest internet speeds to more Detroit area communities.”

Other companies

Higher-speed internet has sprouted up across several service providers in recent years. Other companies, such as Charter Spectrum, have provided gigabit fiber for the past few years for businesses in its Metro Detroit coverage area.

Leigh Byrd, a spokeswoman for Spectrum, said internet speeds provided by the company to residents top several hundred megabits and are fast enough to handle several connected devices in the home.

"Our current offerings are 60 (megabit download) by five (megabit upload) and 300 by 20. That's residential," she said. "In the business world, we do offer a one gigabit and a 10 gigabit for business."

She said there are no current plans to roll out gigabit speeds to residential customers through Spectrum, which was formerly Bright House Networks and provides service in Redford, Livonia, Farmington Hills, Farmington and Novi.

She said, though, that could change.

"I can't say whether or not we have plans," she said. "We've positioned ourselves for faster speeds in the future."

The newcomer to Livonia, WOW cable has worked over the past few years installing its lines across the city after getting approval back in 2015. Robert DiNardo, a vice president and general manager for the cable and internet company, said they hope to have the entire city covered by the end of the month.

Those internet speeds top out at 500 megabits for customers, DiNardo said. The company does offer gigabit speeds in some communities, including one in eastern Wayne County earlier this year.

"We just launched it in Grosse Pointe Shores earlier this summer," he said. "We're taking a look at the next steps on where we want to move with that product."

DiNardo said he did not have a timetable as to when WOW would offer gigabit speeds in the western suburbs of Detroit, but said it's clear consumers are clamoring for higher speeds as more devices get connected households.

But do so requires some planning on the company's part that will take some time, he said.

"It's just not flipping a switch," DiNardo said. "It's one constant we've seen is the increase in demand for internet bandwidth."